The winners of the prestigious Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, were unveiled on Friday night, with a record-breaking audience of 500 filmmakers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts gathered at the SEC in Glasgow.
BBC ALBA’s Siobhan Sutherland hosted the 17th annual ceremony, which celebrated the best in Gaelic filmmaking across drama, documentary, and comedy in both under-18 and over-18 categories.
The judging panel, made up of industry experts, assessed entries based on originality, storytelling, technical execution, and overall impact.
The Best Drama award in the under-18 category went to Parker Dawes for Air Choire, further cementing his reputation as FilmG’s most successful young filmmaker, with six wins to his name.
Parker Dawes expressed his delight, stating that FilmG has played a pivotal role in his development, and winning Best Drama again was a significant achievement.
In the over-18 category, the Best Drama award was claimed by AllanWith1Eils for Falach-Fead, an intense take on hide and seek that kept audiences on edge.
Eilidh Johnson, one-half of the filmmaking duo, shared her excitement, highlighting FilmG as an important creative platform that continually pushes them to innovate.
Recognition was also given to outstanding individual performances and technical excellence across both age groups.
Technical Excellence Award winners included Uilleam MacDonald for Am Fiùran in the under-18 category and Rob MacNeacail for A’ Cluich in the over-18 category.
Best Performance awards went to Lexie Jack for her role in Cus (under-18) and Rachel Kate MacLeod for her performance in Geama (over-18).
The FilmG Choice Awards, determined by public vote, saw Glen Urquhart High School’s Am Blà… win in the under-18 category with a sharp spoof of BBC ALBA’s An Là, while Lauren Smith took the over-18 prize for her intimate documentary, Gàidhlig, a’ Choimhearsnachd agus Mise.
Murdo MacSween, FilmG Project Director, expressed pride in the record attendance and the competition’s role in fostering Gaelic filmmaking talent.
Maggie Taylor, Head of Publishing at MG ALBA, praised the nominees and winners, underlining the importance of Gaelic storytelling and commending Siobhan Sutherland for her engaging hosting.
The entire FilmG Awards ceremony is available to watch on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel for those who missed the event.
FilmG 17 Winners:
Under-18 Competition:
- FilmG Choice Award: Am Blà… by Glen Urquhart High School
- Best Youth Group: Na Fuadaichean by Dingwall Gaelic Primary School
- Best Performance: Lexie Jack for Cus
- Creativity Award: Drogh Paitchyn by Bun-scoil Ghaelgagh, Isle of Man
- Power of Gaelic Award: Seanchas na Fairge by Staffin Primary School and CnaG
- Technical Excellence Award: Uilleam MacDonald for Am Fiùran
- Best Comedy: An Guth by CnaG Na Hearadh
- Best Documentary: FORSAN by Rosa O’Halloran
- Best Drama: Air Choire by Parker Dawes
Over-18 Competition:
- FilmG Choice Award: Gàidhlig, a’ Choimhearsnachd agus Mise by Lauren Smith
- Best Music Video: Cailleach Mhòr Stadhlaigh by Evie Waddell
- Technical Excellence Award: Rob MacNeacail for A’ Cluich
- Best Cultural Film: Anne Againne by Mhàiri Gillies
- Best Performance: Rachel Kate MacLeod for Geama
- Best Comedy: A’ Cluich by Riochdachadh Rambling Celt
- Best Documentary: Orient by Dàibhidh Ó Briain
- Best Drama: Falach-Fead by AllanWith1Eils
